Today, I went to the burrito-bar on campus to have a little taste of home. After going through the make-line motions and exchanging a series of uplifting pleasantries with the obviously bored burrito-craftpersons, I arrived at the register. It was then that I discovered a vacant area in the seat of my pants where my wallet was supposed to be. Realizing I had forgotten my funds at home in my rush to catch a last-second ride to campus, I began laughing at myself and apologizing at once to the employees-on-duty, for being a nuisance and wasting their time and efforts. When the cashier offered to hold on to the would-have-been-mine burrito bowl so I could fetch my wallet, I redoubled with laughter inside at my situation and told him lightheartedly that might be an hour or so because I would have to walk off campus to get it. The thought crossed my mind to ask one of the employees to float me the cost of the burrito in exchange for an I.O.U.; but I decided to accept my hand and deal with it instead of imposing my self-inflicted misfortune upon someone elses generosity. As I was turning away from the place, on the verge of fully accepting the prospect of going on hungry throughout the rest of what was intended to be a long and productive day on campus, I heard a voice from behind me; what do you need? When I turned toward the voice, I saw an orange-haired, glasses-wearing, scruffy faced, smiling middle-aged man approaching the register. Dumbfounded, I could only point at the tally on the register and read the total digit by digit. Without saying another word, my impromptu benefactor produced a 5 and three 1s in his hand - seemingly from thin air - as if he had anticipated my need and already gone through the appropriate motions to be readily of assistance. A wide smile leapt across my face. I must have seemed insane as I accepted his gift; almost violently shaking his hand with appreciation and practically shouting in his face to ask his name. My name is David, said the man. Good name! Good name! Thats my fathers name; and my middle name! Austin David LaNoue, pleased to meet you!! I replied with vigorous aplomb. Perhaps I surprised him with my honest gratefulness; as I stood there shaking his hand and thanking him profusely, this gentle-mannered middle-aged mans amber complexion began blending into his reddish-copper hair. Releasing his hand, I exclaimed I wont forget this! I owe you one! as he turned to walk away. His parting words were said with the most sincere and altruistic smile: pay it forward. Faith in humanity: Restored!
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 22:24:04 +0000
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